​Don't Carry Too Much and Use Both Shoulder Straps  

ROME, Ga., Sept. 4, 2024 – While kids might want a backpack that has an image of a TV superhero or singer, the right size and shape are far more important.

"There is no doubt a backpack can make it much easier for a student who has to tote a bunch of items to and from school every day," said Dr. Tammy Lyles-Arnold, a pediatrician at Atrium Health Floyd Primary Care Family Medicine & Pediatrics in Polk County.

“Backpacks, however, can cause physical problems if they're loaded down or carried incorrectly," Lyles-Arnold continued. “A backpack that is too heavy can cause back pain and strain muscles and joints."

Students sometimes carry 30 percent of their body weight in their backpack, 15 to 20 percent more than recommended.

Kids can often get pulled backward by the weight of backpacks. As a result, they sometimes compensate by leaning forward as they walk. That can lead to back pain.

Many students can also be seen with the backpack slung across one shoulder. While that may be considered stylish and convenient, it can cause strain on the neck, shoulders and back by making the student lean to one side.

"It's important to wear backpacks correctly — use both straps and keep the load light to reduce strain," said Darius McAphee, a physical therapist with Atrium Health Floyd Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation.

Clay McCollum, another physical therapist with Atrium Health Floyd, said students might want to consider using a second bag for sports and extracurricular activities.

“If the load is particularly heavy, consider splitting it between two bags and carrying an extra bag by hand," McCollum said.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) offers some suggestions for parents looking for the right backpack:

• Choose a backpack with wide, padded shoulder straps and a padded back.
• Pack light. Organize the backpack to use all of its compartments. Pack heavier items closest to the center of the back.
• Go through the pack with your child weekly and remove unneeded items to keep it light.
• Adjust the pack so that the bottom sits at your child's waist.
• If your school allows, consider a rolling backpack. This type of backpack may be an excellent choice for students who must tote a heavy load. Remember that rolling backpacks still must be carried upstairs.
• Kids can also help themselves by using their lockers or desks to store unneeded items throughout the day and by only bringing home books and notebooks necessary for that night's homework or study time.

If a child experiences pain or numbness in their neck, shoulder or back, parents should consult their family doctor right away.

​About Atrium Health Floyd
The Atrium Health Floyd family of health care services is a leading medical provider and economic force in northwest Georgia and northeast Alabama. Atrium Health Floyd is part of Charlotte, North Carolina-based Advocate Health, the third-largest nonprofit health system in the United States, created from the combination of Atrium Health and Advocate Aurora Health. Atrium Health Floyd employs more than 3,500 teammates who provide care in over 40 medical specialties at three hospitals: Atrium Health Floyd Medical Center – a 304-bed full-service, acute care hospital and regional referral center in Rome, Georgia; Atrium Health Floyd Polk Medical Center in Cedartown, Georgia; and Atrium Health Floyd Cherokee Medical Center in Centre, Alabama; as well as Atrium Health Floyd Medical Center Behavioral Health – a freestanding 53-bed behavioral health facility in Rome – and also primary care and urgent care network locations throughout northwest Georgia and northeast Alabama. Atrium Health Floyd also operates a stand-alone emergency department in Chattooga County, the first such facility to be built from the ground-up in Georgia.

About Atrium Health 
Atrium Health is a nationally recognized leader in shaping health outcomes through innovative research, education and compassionate patient care. Based in Charlotte, North Carolina, Atrium Health is part of Advocate Health, the third-largest nonprofit health system in the United States, which was created from the combination with Advocate Aurora Health. A recognized leader in experiential medical education and groundbreaking research, Wake Forest University School of Medicine is its academic core. Atrium Health is renowned for its top-ranked pediatric, cancer and heart care, as well as organ transplants, burn treatments and specialized musculoskeletal programs. Atrium Health is also a leading-edge innovator in virtual care and mobile medicine, providing care close to home and in the home. Ranked nationally among U.S. News & World Report's Best Hospitals in eight pediatric specialties and for rehabilitation, Atrium Health has also received the American Hospital Association's Quest for Quality Prize and its 2021 Carolyn Boone Lewis Equity of Care Award, as well as the 2020 Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Health Equity Award for its efforts to reduce racial and ethnic disparities in care. With a commitment to every community it serves, Atrium Health seeks to improve health, elevate hope and advance healing – for all, providing $2.8 billion last year in free and uncompensated care and other community benefits. 

About Advocate Health 
Advocate Health is the third-largest nonprofit integrated health system in the United States – created from the combination of Advocate Aurora Health and Atrium Health. Providing care under the names Advocate Health Care in Illinois, Atrium Health in the Carolinas, Georgia and Alabama, and Aurora Health Care in Wisconsin, Advocate Health is a national leader in clinical innovation, health outcomes, consumer experience and value-based care. Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, Advocate Health services nearly 6 million patients and is engaged in hundreds of clinical trials and research studies, with Wake Forest University School of Medicine serving as the academic core of the enterprise. It is nationally recognized for its expertise in cardiology, neurosciences, oncology, pediatrics and rehabilitation, as well as organ transplants, burn treatments and specialized musculoskeletal programs. Advocate Health employs 155,000 teammates across 69 hospitals and over 1,000 care locations, and offers one of the nation's largest graduate medical education programs with over 2,000 residents and fellows across more than 200 programs. Committed to providing equitable care for all, Advocate Health provides nearly $6 billion in annual community benefits.